Phil Gould has offered a significant hint on where Jack Wighton may land if he chooses to leave the nation’s capital.
The 30-year-old backline utility dropped a bombshell on the Raiders on Tuesday when it was revealed he will test the NRL market, rather than accept a contract option for 2024 at Canberra.
Wighton has played all of his 224 NRL games in lime green, and won the 2019 Clive Churchill Medal in a losing grand final, as well as collecting the league’s Dally M Medal in 2020.
In the hours after the news dropped, it’s been reported a host of clubs got in contact with the player’s management to signal their interest.
But on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus podcast, Gould revealed a small handful of teams may hold a major advantage.
“My mail is he has a desire to live in Queensland for some reason,” Gould said.
“He will be looking at the money they’re earning elsewhere, the reports of contracts and what some of the other playmakers will be earning.
“The other one could well be winning a premiership. Maybe he’s getting to the point he doesn’t think it will happen with the Raiders.”
Early on Wednesday, the Dolphins were mentioned as a club potentially interested in Wighton’s services.
READ MORE: Gus and Robbo’s war of words over Suaalii’s contract
READ MORE: Truth behind ‘Ricciardo’ photo that ‘got out of hand’
READ MORE: Bol ‘sham’: ‘Blunder of epic proportions’ revealed
The expansion team failed to land a marquee spine player for its inaugural season in the NRL, missing out on the likes of Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga, Reece Walsh, and Brandon Smith.
In spite of this, Wayne Bennett’s side has won three of its first four games, making the Redcliffe-based team a desirable destination for any player keen on a sea change.
The question then, however, would be where Wighton fits in the spine.
Gus fires back at Robinson’s ‘fear’ comments
Teenage five-eighth Isaiya Katoa has done enough to suggest he will own the No.6 jumper as long as he is fit, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is a quality fullback – which is Wighton’s other favoured position.
Gould, though, is confident any club could find a spot for Wighton, who has also played Origin games at centre.
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
“I think he could play anywhere. I think he could play in the forwards,” Gould said.
“He’s a pretty experienced player. And at 30 years of age… you can see the horizon. (of your career).”
Wighton’s Raiders option next year is said to be worth $900,000.
The Dolphins were reportedly prepared to pay Munster or Ponga upwards of $1.5 million if they had chosen to defect.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
The Mole’s Team of the Week: Superstar’s ‘stunning’ return; silver lining in Tigers’ ‘lacklustre’ loss
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
